Definitely! From my studies linking swimming to paddling, there are slight differences here and there, and stark differences if paddling on a longboard or proneboard. Thanks for the comment!
Just came from Nathan Florence's paddling video where he says to arch your back and keep your head high, so as not to burn your shoulders out from over rotating them. So now I'm confused as hell on that point. Interesting re the high elbow. Will try that next session
Yeah, so back arch is a common debatable topic. But I have hard evidence showing an average of 21-23% increase in efficiency when a surfer paddles with a neutral back arch. It really depends on a surfer's mobility limits in their spine. But the point I try and make is that you can adjust different techniques based on your own personal mobility/endurance limitations to optimize paddling. This particular technique has to do with horizontal balance control, and back arch (head height) is only 1 of 4 techniques that can control that factor.
I'm actually binge watching your whole youtube channel, so helpful, I keep beeing insanely tired quite fast and will apply some tips from here. Whan you analyzed Kelly Slater paddle technique, we can clearly see that his back is was more arched than JJF and head more straight, so his technique is les good ? Because he is less horizontal ?
LOL! That's awesome. So glad the videos have been helping. A higher back arch isn't better or worse. It simply gives him more options. Kelly has an enormous amount of mobility and so having it that high doesn't use a ton of energy for him. However, for us mortals, that would be using a lot of energy and not necessary for efficiency and speed.
Hi I have a question. I'm told by many people (and this has been mentioned in many vids) that I should arch my back like the shape of a banana while paddling, whereas in this vid, it's clear that the surfer's pretty much relaxed while paddling. So when should we try to arch our back up? Is the best timing doing this when at the beginning of catching a wave (so that it helps to paddle deeper)? Thank you.
Great question. Arching the back has advantages and disadvantages. From a scientific review point of view, if we are trying to conserve energy, then keeping a neutral back arch is optimal. To provide higher entry angle to the armstroke, a higher back arch will suffice, but there are other ways to get the same entry angle with less effort. A comparison of the paddling efficiency of two surfers with high back arches to a more neutral back arch yielded between a 23-25% gain in efficiency when the back was more neutral. A much deeper discussion would have to take place at why this is the case, and how to gain higher power and speed out of a neutral back arch. I run Mastery Weekends and Workshops that go into this in greater detail so take a look at surfingpaddling.com/calendar. Thanks for the question!
Great tips man and in your Kelly vids too, but props to Keanu for even sort of keeping up! He's up against a paddling machine in John John considering the difference in their builds. I'm kind of stocky and my lanky, flat-torso friends smoke me every time we have a little battle.
Thanks for the comment. Yeah, longer arms provides more propulsion, but even stocky dudes like us can beat long and lanky if they aren't efficient with their stroke. Cheers.
Fitness is key but think about this. If you were as strong and as fit as John, but you were dragging five parachutes behind you when you paddled, wouldn’t it be smarter to cut the parachutes? Think of the parachutes as poor technique. When you improve technique then you remove the parachutes and then you really start moving! In short, technique first, fitness on top of that, then the world is your oyster.
Great video. Thank you for showing the dropped elbow no-no. This really helps us visual learners.
You got it! I'm glad you enjoyed it and are getting value from it.
i swam competitively, still learned something about the lift and power.. i'll play wid it next sesh! tx
Definitely! From my studies linking swimming to paddling, there are slight differences here and there, and stark differences if paddling on a longboard or proneboard. Thanks for the comment!
Just came from Nathan Florence's paddling video where he says to arch your back and keep your head high, so as not to burn your shoulders out from over rotating them. So now I'm confused as hell on that point. Interesting re the high elbow. Will try that next session
Yeah, so back arch is a common debatable topic. But I have hard evidence showing an average of 21-23% increase in efficiency when a surfer paddles with a neutral back arch. It really depends on a surfer's mobility limits in their spine. But the point I try and make is that you can adjust different techniques based on your own personal mobility/endurance limitations to optimize paddling. This particular technique has to do with horizontal balance control, and back arch (head height) is only 1 of 4 techniques that can control that factor.
Another awesome video mate! This stuff has already helped me with my paddling so much! Big thanks! :)
Thank you for the kind feedback. Super glad they're helping you. Let me know if you have any questions. Cheers!
Very interesting analysis and good techniques for me to work on.
Thanks.
Thank you for the feedback and comment. Cheers!
Cool thanks
I'm actually binge watching your whole youtube channel, so helpful, I keep beeing insanely tired quite fast and will apply some tips from here. Whan you analyzed Kelly Slater paddle technique, we can clearly see that his back is was more arched than JJF and head more straight, so his technique is les good ? Because he is less horizontal ?
LOL! That's awesome. So glad the videos have been helping. A higher back arch isn't better or worse. It simply gives him more options. Kelly has an enormous amount of mobility and so having it that high doesn't use a ton of energy for him. However, for us mortals, that would be using a lot of energy and not necessary for efficiency and speed.
Hi I have a question. I'm told by many people (and this has been mentioned in many vids) that I should arch my back like the shape of a banana while paddling, whereas in this vid, it's clear that the surfer's pretty much relaxed while paddling. So when should we try to arch our back up? Is the best timing doing this when at the beginning of catching a wave (so that it helps to paddle deeper)? Thank you.
Great question. Arching the back has advantages and disadvantages. From a scientific review point of view, if we are trying to conserve energy, then keeping a neutral back arch is optimal. To provide higher entry angle to the armstroke, a higher back arch will suffice, but there are other ways to get the same entry angle with less effort. A comparison of the paddling efficiency of two surfers with high back arches to a more neutral back arch yielded between a 23-25% gain in efficiency when the back was more neutral. A much deeper discussion would have to take place at why this is the case, and how to gain higher power and speed out of a neutral back arch. I run Mastery Weekends and Workshops that go into this in greater detail so take a look at surfingpaddling.com/calendar. Thanks for the question!
Great tips man and in your Kelly vids too, but props to Keanu for even sort of keeping up! He's up against a paddling machine in John John considering the difference in their builds. I'm kind of stocky and my lanky, flat-torso friends smoke me every time we have a little battle.
Thanks for the comment. Yeah, longer arms provides more propulsion, but even stocky dudes like us can beat long and lanky if they aren't efficient with their stroke. Cheers.
The best way to paddle like JJF is be as fit as him if you are your off to a good start
Fitness is key but think about this. If you were as strong and as fit as John, but you were dragging five parachutes behind you when you paddled, wouldn’t it be smarter to cut the parachutes? Think of the parachutes as poor technique. When you improve technique then you remove the parachutes and then you really start moving! In short, technique first, fitness on top of that, then the world is your oyster.
on point as usual!!
tks
Cheers!